Tesla Model 3 almost takes the top spot in second quarter sales as segment growth evaporates

Sales in the US Premium Mid-sized segment rose by 2.8% to 221,407 in the first half of 2018, as growth experienced by the segment in the first quarter of the year evaporated entirely in the second quarter, despite a huge surge in the (estimated) sales of Tesla Model 3. With the Model 3 and Kia Stinger sales growth still accelerating, and the new [Read more…]

Sales in the US Premium Mid-sized segment rose by 6.1% to 105,382 in the first quarter of 2018, a recovery from the 3.1% sales decline the segment experienced in 2017. However, while new models like Kia Stinger and Audi A5 can still see decent sales growth, further growth in the segment may be limited as there is only one other major new

Sales in the US premium mid-sized segment fell by 7.9% to 116,607 in the fourth quarter of 2017, combining with the double-digit sales decline from Q3’17 to drag total sales in 2017 down by 3.1% to 446,534. Still, this made it the best (OK, least bad) performing from among non-SUV premium segments, thanks in large part to new metal hitting [Read more…]

The segment dips into the red but still outperforms other premium car segments

Sales of Premium Mid-sized cars fell by 9% in the third quarter of the year, down to 316,919, erasing the sales gains recorded over the first half of the year. Still, the segment is still the best performing from among all premium car segments, with all the other ones losing more sales since the beginning of the year. A big reason for is that over the past year a lot of new metal has hit the market (Audi A5, Infiniti Q60, Alfa Romeo Giulia), while a few other models are still fresh and growing strong (Audi A4, Jaguar XE). With the new BMW 3-Series around the corner, and a new Lexus IS and Volvo S60 not far off, the prospects are pretty good for this segment, despite the onslaught from premium SUVs.

Sales of Premium Mid-sized cars increased 3% in the second quarter of 2017, which makes it the best performing premium car segment and beats the overall market. For the first half of the year, sales are up 1% to 235,759 units. That’s a significant improvement from the loss of 15.3% percent in 2016, and much better than the -16% of the mainstream midsized car segment, although that segment remains 4 times as large in the US. However, the premium midsized crossover segment increased 11% to almost 214.000 sales and is closing in. If in the first quarter 8 of the 16 remaining models in the segment showed double digit declines, in Q2 there were only 5 double-digit losers and 2 single-digit losers, while the remaining 9 models improved. One sidenote to the ranking: the Mercedes-Benz C-class is the only model in the segment for which sales of the coupe and convertible are included with those of the sedan/station wagon, as all others have distinctive names for their sexier models: 3-Series/4-Series, A4/A5, Q50/Q60, IS/RC. That’s why we’ve decided to give you 2 rankings this time: the blue graph with the split figures and the green graph with the combined figures. As you can see, that makes the difference between having a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW on top.

Sales in the Premium Mid-sized segment fell by 2.1% in the first quarter of 2017, which is better than the overall market. It’s also an improvement from the loss of 15.3% percent in 2016, and much better than the -19.2% of the mainstream midsized car segment. US dealers delivered a total of 108,281 premium midsized models, which is barely more than the almost 101,500 premium midsized crossovers they sold in the same period (an increase of 12.5%). If this trend continues, the crossover segment will soon be larger than the car segment. 8 of the 16 remaining models in the segment showed double digit declines, while just 2 showed double digit increases and another 2 were all-new. One sidenote to the ranking: the Mercedes-Benz C-class is the only model in the segment for which sales of the coupe and convertible are included with those of the sedan/station wagon, as all others have distinctive names for their sexier models: 3-Series/4-Series, A4/A5, Q50/Q60, IS/RC. That’s why we’ve decided to give you 2 rankings this time: the blue graph with the split figures and the green graph with the combined figures. As you can see, that makes the difference between having a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW on top.

Sales in the Premium Large segment fell by 14 percent compared to the first half 2015, recording a slightly slower contraction in the second quarter compared to the first one (11 versus 18 percent, respectively). It is reasonable to expect the segment’s fortunes to improve further still in the second half of the year, as the new Mercedes-Benz E-class is proving quite popular and may pull up sales for the segment as a whole. [Read more…]

Sales in the premium large segment fell by 18% compared to Q1 2015, a performance almost as bad as that of the premium mid-sizedsegment. However, with the new Mercedes-Benz E-class, Volvo S90 and Jaguar XF picking up steam it is reasonable to expect for the segment’s fortune to look up in the second quarter of the year. [Read more…]

Sales in the premium large segment fell by 11% compared to 2014, a pretty bad, but maybe not unexpected performance given that most cars in this segment are either getting long in the tooth, or are on the verge of being replaced with new models. With the new Mercedes-Benz E class, Volvo S90 and Jaguar XF about to go on sale in the first months of 2016 it is reasonable to expect the segment’s fortunes to pick up soon. [Read more…]

The Premium Large segment continued shrinking in the third quarter of 2015 on the back of sales falling for most models. In fact, only three cars have registered positive growth over the first three quarters compared to the same time period in 2014. [Read more…]